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Re: Traditional versus Functional Grammar

Welcome.
Hmm. First, I'll need a wee bit of clarification. Is your question in reference to Halliday's Functional Grammar or to the long-standing debate on Prescriptive and Descriptive grammars?

Sorry this is not completely on topic but I jumped at the opportunity to discuss Halliday's Functional Grammar.
I have just completed a M.Ed (TESOL) with a emphasis on Halliday's Functional Grammar and I have been teaching in Tokyo for ten years. Although my study has been interesting and has given me additional insight into English the practical application of SFL is problematic. In class I have introduced, in a simple way, participants, processes etc. However,I have found it very difficult to locate anybody in the EFL world, at the chalkboard, who is using SFL. It seems to be mostly used in discourse analysis by university lecturers and professors. Would you like to comment on this.
Regards,
John Curran

Re: Traditional versus Functional Grammar

If you scrape away the layers of whatever is in vogue now, it doesn't take long to get to the traditional grammar that underpins most textbooks. Given this state of affairs, it is likely to remain this way for a while yet.

Re: Traditional versus Functional Grammar

Tdol,
I agree completely with you - scrape away.......etc. My favourite grammar book is 'Understanding English Grammar' by Kolln & Funk - now in 7th. edition.
How about you? I have tried many textbooks and approaches in Japan and am still looking for a better way. Some elements of Systemic Functional Linguistics help. What works best for you?
John

Re: Traditional versus Functional Grammar

Sorry- I am often laconic as I have to whizz through the forum dealing with lots of other things. Also, I teach over the internetand haven't been in a classroom for a while, and the dynamics of internet work are very different.